New Jersey Wants To Waste Taxpayer Money On Gun Control

Yesterday, the New Jersey Senate Higher Education Committee held a hearing on S. 2830, a measure that would bring the same sort of slanted anti-gun “research” that tarnished the CDC’s reputation to the Garden State.

If passed, the measure would use tax dollars to fund a “firearms violence research center” at Rutgers University, the stated mission of which would be to investigate gun violence as a “public health issue.” The problems with this idea are manifold: First, New Jersey already has among the highest taxes in America. Secondly, how reliable could we expect any research that comes from one of the most liberal universities in one of the most gun-hating states to be?

But perhaps more important is the fact that we already know “firearms violence” isn’t a “PUBLIC health issue”—the vast majority of the public, regardless of their gun ownership status, is never involved in a firearm-related crime. Instead, as plenty of studies have already proven, the primary drivers of firearm homicides in the U.S. are gang- and drug-related.

Unfortunately, while that information could save New Jersey millions over the long run, we know the odds of them listening to us are basically nil.

John Lott Shoots Down Myth Of Gun-Free School Zones

In an op-ed posted at ocregister.com, author and criminologist John Lott said those seeking to further restrict the legal carry of handguns on school grounds in California have an answer in search of a problem.

“But the simple fact is that there haven’t been any problems,” wrote Lott, president of the Crime Prevention Research Center. “Prior to the early 1990s, there were no state laws specifically restricting concealed carry on K-12 property. In 2015, when California became the first state in at least 40 years to pass a law restricting concealed carry on school grounds, no one could point to a single incident in California. That hasn’t changed in the last two years.”

Lott continued that, unfortunately, gun-free zones, like what those in California are seeking, don’t make places “safe.”

“Since at least 1950, all but four mass public shootings in America have taken place where citizens are banned from carrying guns,” he said. “Unsurprisingly, killers try to avoid armed resistance.”

Congresswoman Thinks She Has More Rights Than Mere Citizens

A congresswoman from Florida apparently believes she has more, or perhaps better, rights than her constituents do, according to a recent report at freebeacon.com.

When Rep. Val Demings, D-Fla., wrote on her Facebook page that she supports “common-sense gun legislation,” a Facebook user pointed out an incident from 2009 when Demings was Orlando’s police chief and had her handgun stolen from her vehicle. “Hey Val ... have they found that gun that was stolen out of your car??? Let's talk responsible gun ownership first, before we take on other points …” the man posted.

That prompted Demings to insinuate that her rights and those of mere mortals are somehow different. “Teach me how to be PERFECT Stephen because obviously YOU are,” she shot back. “My First amendment right is DIFFERENT from yours. You are wasting your time.”

The Daily Wire contacted Demings' office for comment on how the rights are different, but Caroline Rowland, communications director, responded, “No, she will have no comment on that. Thank you.”

Sheriff Clarke Accepts Homeland Security Position

Milwaukee County Sheriff David A. Clarke Jr. has long been a supporter of Donald Trump. In his speech at the recent NRA Annual Meetings in Atlanta, Ga., Sheriff Clarke commented, “I worked hard to help Donald Trump get elected president of the United States, and I will fight even harder to help him make America great again.”

He’ll now have an opportunity to help the president directly. On Thursday, Clarke confirmed on WISN-AM in Milwaukee that he has accepted a job as deputy secretary in the Department of Homeland Security. “I’m both honored and humbled to be appointed to this position by Secretary Kelly, working for the Trump administration,” he was quoted as saying.

Clarke has been an outspoken advocate for firearm rights and an armed citizenry. He has served as Milwaukee County’s sheriff since 2002. "I have to retire from law enforcement," he said. "But I won't have to abandon it totally."

Mom Uses Two Guns To Chase Off Invaders And Protect Her Son

When Elsie Lee was jarred out of her sleep on a quiet Monday morning, she had one thought: “Protect my son.”Lee told Tennessee’s WBBJ-TV, “We were asleep, and I thought I had heard something. I thought I was just dreaming something, and then I heard a big bang again.” That’s when she sprang into action, grabbing her .45-caliber handgun and a shotgun. Lee confronted an intruder in her kitchen, and heard others waiting outside.

“I put the gun in his face and asked him if there was something I could do for him, and he was gone just that quick,” Lee continued. “I chased him out the back door.” In less than an hour, Madison County deputies arrested four men, ranging in ages from 18 to 21, and charged each with burglary. The protective mom also made a point to thank police. “They were here within three minutes … it couldn’t have been done any faster or better.”